Couple appears in court in woman's dragging death

Man, woman ordered held on bond

A couple charged in the death of a Middletown woman was in court Wednesday.

Dustin Watkins and Maria Misquez were ordered held on $210,000 bond and $100,000 bond, respectively, in the dragging death of Christina Purdin.

Purdin, 28, died after police said she was dragged by Watkins' car as he drove away following a confrontation.

Watkins is charged with fleeing the scene of an accident, tampering with evidence and possession of drug abuse instruments. Misquez is charged with complicity.

Purdin's mother, Loretta Purdin Morgan, had a diabetic seizure in court, but was treated at the scene and released.

"I finally seen the blood in the road today and I just envisioned her laying there dying on life support and how her innocent life was taken for nothing ... for nothing," Morgan said.

"They deliberately ran over my sister. After she got loose, they should have just drove off and let it go instead of cutting the wheel to the left and ran over her. If they would have done that she would still be here. Her babies would still have a mom," Linda Purdin said.

Watkins' family released a statement to the media that read in part, "The whole story is not out yet so this situation should not be judged upon until more evidence is presented. The family of Dustin Watkins is not saying that what happened is right by all means, cause a person lost their life in the process."

More charges against Hawkins and Misquez are expected next week when they return to court.